Victorian CDV Photo Album c1860s-1880s 37 Portrait Photographs

A beautiful antique Victorian photograph album containing approximately 37 original period portrait photographs of men, women and children.

The album is particularly decorative, with a deep burgundy/purple textured binding, gilt page edges and elaborate pierced gilt-metal straps extending across the front and back covers and around the fore-edge.

Inside is a fascinating collection of Victorian studio portraits showing people of different ages in period clothing. Several of the women appear in dark mourning dress, with some also appearing to wear mourning jewellery, making the collection particularly interesting for students and collectors of Victorian fashion and social history.

Most of the photographs are in the small carte-de-visite (CDV) format, which became enormously popular during the Victorian period. One loose example shown carries the studio mark of Green Photo, Coventry.

A wonderful survivor from the 19th century that works equally well as a photographic collection, social-history piece or highly decorative Victorian object.

Details

• Period: Victorian / 19th century
• Type: Photograph / CDV album
• Approximately 37 period photographs
• Subjects include men, women and children
  
• Mainly carte-de-visite style portraits
• Ornate pierced gilt-metal fittings
• Gilt page edges
• Burgundy/purple textured binding
• Album: approx. 15 × 12.5 × 5.5cm
• Photograph cards: approx. 10.5 × 6.5cm

Condition

Good antique condition overall with general wear consistent with considerable age.

The binding and metal fittings show age-related marks, rubbing and wear. The pages and photographs have varying degrees of foxing, spotting, discolouration and handling wear. The gilt page edges and decorative metalwork retain an attractive appearance.

One of the front metal studs/fittings appears different in colour from the others and may be an old replacement.

Please study all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.